Rewarding Japanese Servicemen With Russian Awards During World War I and the Russian Civil War (1914–1922)
https://doi.org/10.55105/2658-6444-2025-1-48-72
Abstract
The period from the end of the Russo-Japanese War to the 1917 October Revolution was a time of political, economic, and cultural rapprochement between Russia and Japan. Moreover, this rapprochement was observed after the events of 1917 for several more years, since, during the Russian Civil War, Japan supported the anti-Bolshevik forces in the Far East.
The two countries entered the First World War as de facto allies; this alliance culminated in the Treaty of 1916. Its reflection in symbolic actions was also an element of this cooperation. In the years before the First World War, and, actually, during the war, hundreds of Japanese servicemen were given Russian awards. The article analyzes the composition of military personnel, what awards and for what merits were presented to the members of the Imperial House who did military service, diplomats, generals, as well as fleet admirals and naval officers, engineers, and divers.
After October 1917, Japan supported members of the White Movement and Admiral A. V. Kolchak for several more years. In addition, even more active support was provided to Ataman G. M. Semenov. For example, Japanese garrisons were stationed in Transbaikalia starting from the autumn of 1918, when he came to power there. Paradoxically, many Japanese officers and enlisted men were presented with Russian awards during the years of the Civil War, which fact is also confirmed in archival documents.
Keywords
Russia and Japan in the early 20th century, Orders of the Russian Empire,
Order of Saint Stanislaus,
Order of Saint Anna,
Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle the First-Called,
Order of Alexander Nevsky,
battleship Peresvet (Sagami), dreadnought Imperatritsa Maria,
Tanaka Kotarō,
Prince Kan’in Kotohito,
Special Manchurian Detachment
About the Authors
S. V. Grishachev
HSE University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
21/4(5), Staraya Basmannaya Street, Moscow, 105066
Z. A. Shmakotina
HSE University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
SHMAKOTINA Zoya Alekseevna – student of the “Asian and African
Studies” educational program, School of Asian Studies, Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs
21/4(5), Staraya Basmannaya Street, Moscow, 105066
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For citations:
Grishachev S.V., Shmakotina Z.A. Rewarding Japanese Servicemen With Russian Awards During World War I and the Russian Civil War (1914–1922). Russian Japanology Review. 2025;8(1):48-72. https://doi.org/10.55105/2658-6444-2025-1-48-72
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